So they suddenly
saw the need to do
something they
never did before.
They started to
cover themselves
with fig leaves to
hide their nakedness.
A person being conscious
of their nakedness before a
stranger is understandable but to
be conscious of one’s nakedness
before their married partner is a
sign that something is seriously
wrong. Sin also caused them
to hide from God and another
shocking effect is Adam’s effort to
blame God and Eve. Eve tried to blame
the serpent. Sin caused havoc in their
lives and now the devastating news of
their murdered son compounded it.
relationship became estranged after they
sinned. Mistrust soon divided them and
that resulted in an unwillingness to be
naked and transparent before each other.
The thing to note here is that Abel was
not killed by a stranger, a thief or a drug
addict etc. Abel was murdered by his own
brother. Two blood brothers who grew
up playing together in the same house
and having the same parents, yet one was
a worshiper the other a murderer, one of
God the other of the devil.
This story was the foreshadowing of
something much more epic that was
to happen many years later. Scripture
records this about Jesus, “He came to His
own, and His own did not receive Him.” In
fact, those He came to, His own Jewish
brethren, plotted and killed Him. Jesus
was betrayed with a kiss by someone He
had close fellowship with, someone who
ate and dipped with Him in the same cup.
David prophesying about Jesus’ betrayal
said this, “If an enemy were insulting me, I
could endure it; if a foe were rising against
me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like
myself, my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
at the house of God, as we walked about
among the worshipers.” Psalm 55:12-14
(NIV)
Paul made a noteworthy statement when
he said, “...they are not all Israel who are
of Israel.” Romans 9:6 (NKJV) Among
the children of Jacob (Israel) are those
who are God’s truly called out people as
well as murderous children of the devil.
The same natural father Abraham but two
very different spiritual fathers. A similar
point is made a few more times to help
us get the message. Abraham had two
sons, one the product of human scheming
and wisdom the other the result of God’s
promise and power. Abraham and Sarah
tried to achieve God’s promise through
human effort. They aimed for Isaac but
got an Ishmael instead. A child that
would bring trouble. Jacob also had two
sons Esau and Jacob. God loved Jacob but
hated Esau.
This pattern of two sons will be repeated
in the end times. Jesus speaking of these
times said this, “You will be arrested,
punished, and even killed. Because of me,
you will be hated by people of all nations.
Many [brethren of the faith] will give
up and will betray and hate each other.”
Under pressure the true spiritual nature
of ‘God’s people’ will be revealed and
those who are not of God will hate and
betray (in some cases unto death) those
who are.
Let’s check our hearts today, Jesus says
anger against a brother is no different
from murder. Are you angry with another
brother or sister in the faith? Leave your
gift at the altar and go and make peace
with them for God’s requirement is a
truthful and obedient heart rather than
rituals. p
By Homer Slack
author, preacher, Bible
teacher, IT tutor, programmer & graphic designer
January - March 2016
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